 | |
ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ Launches in Tampa
Our campaign to create a country of humane communities got a boost from the Florida sunshine on February 26.
It was an eventful weekend for the four animal welfare agencies in Tampa, FL, chosen as partners for our campaign to create a country of humane communities. Hillsborough County Animal Services, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, No More Homeless Pets and Animal Coalition of Tampa each signed on for a three-year commitment to increase Tampa's save rate for homeless pets from 10 percent to 50 percent by 2010.
On Saturday, February 24, ASPCA staff members met with the partnering agencies, volunteers and boards of directors to share their challenges and goals, and to hear ASPCA President Ed Sayres' vision for Tampa. On Sunday, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay hosted a reception for its major donors. A proclamation from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, declaring February 26, 2007, as ASPCA Mission: Orange Day, was read aloud, and Sayres addressed the challenges of pet overpopulation.
Finally, on Monday, a press conference took place at Hillsborough County Animal Services to publicly announce the launch of ASPCA Mission: Orange. The announcement was warmly received by the media, and stories were published in the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times. The press conference received extensive coverage from local television stations, and Anna Allen, Tampa Bay’s 10 News meteorologist, spay/neuter advocate and pet parent, highlighted the ASPCA's commitment to the community several times during her morning forecasts.
Even the Florida Department of Citrus got on the orange bandwagon and donated orange giveaways for the weekend's events!
“There is much work to be done,” says Sayres, “but we are off to a great start, and I am extremely proud of all our staff and partners who, every day, are taking us one step closer to our vision of creating a country of humane communities, one community at a time.”
Here’s what we call a great kick-off! The Tampa launch of ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ featured the presentation of a proclamation from the Florida Board of County Commissioners declaring February 26, 2007, as ASPCA Mission: Orange Day. On hand to celebrate were Linda Baker, Executive Director, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, seated with ASPCA president Ed Sayres. Back row, from left to right: Pam Burney, ASPCA; Holly O'Brien, HSTB Board Member; Bill Armstrong, Director, Hillsborough County Animal Services; and the ASPCA’s Sherry Silk and Darlene Larson.
Donate Today